I expected retiring from my software development job at IBM a little over a year ago would provide a sudden flood of free time. As much as I craved free time—I could finally finish that novel—It scared me!
I had nightmares of doing nothing but lazing about in front of the TV binging on peanut butter cups and slowly swelling into a rotund and purposeless slug-woman.
So, I immediately volunteered at CALM (CA Living Museum) in Bakersfield as both a Docent and a Wildlife Rehabilitation assistant.
That doesn’t seem like such a huge commitment until you factor in the hour and a half drive each way, and a bit of at-home prep work most weeks. FYI—The bighorn sheep, goats, pony, donkey and pig all enjoy carrots slices and apple chunks frozen into ice blocks on a hot Bakersfield day.
I had nightmares of doing nothing but lazing about in front of the TV binging on peanut butter cups and slowly swelling into a rotund and purposeless slug-woman.
So, I immediately volunteered at CALM (CA Living Museum) in Bakersfield as both a Docent and a Wildlife Rehabilitation assistant.
That doesn’t seem like such a huge commitment until you factor in the hour and a half drive each way, and a bit of at-home prep work most weeks. FYI—The bighorn sheep, goats, pony, donkey and pig all enjoy carrots slices and apple chunks frozen into ice blocks on a hot Bakersfield day.
Volunteering at CALM has been every bit as educational and fun as I expected. I’d planned to write about it regularly on this blog, but in our first training class we were warned against oversharing on social media. So I’ll just say—CALM is awesome. Check it out.
Rehabilitating injured animals was my original goal, but it turns out being a docent is double-awesome. I knew I’d enjoy getting up-close and personal with the critters, but I never expected to enjoy the people as much as I have.
Watching kids’ (or adults’) eyes light up when they see a hawk or owl or tarantula or tortoise up close for the first time is priceless. Showing them the decorator crabs, sea cucumbers and abalone in the new California Coast Room and talking “tide pool” is one of my greatest joys!
Rehabilitating injured animals was my original goal, but it turns out being a docent is double-awesome. I knew I’d enjoy getting up-close and personal with the critters, but I never expected to enjoy the people as much as I have.
Watching kids’ (or adults’) eyes light up when they see a hawk or owl or tarantula or tortoise up close for the first time is priceless. Showing them the decorator crabs, sea cucumbers and abalone in the new California Coast Room and talking “tide pool” is one of my greatest joys!
Helping someone go from being afraid to come near a Kingsnake to touching its tail in rapt fascination, and explaining to them how snakes help keep down rodent populations—well, that just feels like the best public service I could provide. For both snakes and humans!
I’m going to miss CALM now that we’re moving back to Arizona, but I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. Well, at least not for slugging-out in front of the TV.
Now back to that novel! And maybe just a few peanut butter cups.
I’m going to miss CALM now that we’re moving back to Arizona, but I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. Well, at least not for slugging-out in front of the TV.
Now back to that novel! And maybe just a few peanut butter cups.
